Chinese engineers are currently evaluating Fiji’s sugar mills, as announced by the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh. Their visit aims to assess how to enhance the existing mills and explore the potential for establishing a third sugar mill in the country.
“We have a team of engineers from China who are inspecting the Labasa mill,” Minister Singh noted. They recently visited Lautoka and will be at the old Rakiraki site this week. Their primary focus is on upgrading the mills and increasing sugar production, which has declined significantly over the years. Singh pointed out that production was once as high as 4.2 million tonnes, dropping to 3.5 million tonnes, and currently stands at approximately 1.3 million tonnes.
The minister identified several challenges contributing to this decline, including labor shortages, climate change impacts, and issues such as saltwater intrusion affecting farmer’s fields. He stated, “Our teams are working towards addressing these problems.”
This initiative reflects prior developments within Fiji’s sugar industry, including the acquisition of a second-hand sugar mill from China intended for Rakiraki. That mill, only four years old, is anticipated to significantly lower costs compared to a new mill, which would be around $250 million. This proposed mill, along with potential upgrades to existing facilities, aims to meet the local demand for refined sugar—currently import-dependent.
Overall, while the sugar industry in Fiji faces substantial challenges, the engagement with Chinese engineers and the efforts to enhance mill operations show a forward-looking approach to revitalizing this vital sector for the economy and local farmers. These ongoing developments represent a hopeful step towards stabilizing and increasing sugar production in Fiji.
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